The Hypocrisy Charge

Pundits get a lot of mileage out of using charges of hypocrisy against politicians. John Edwards, for example, cannot be truly for the poor because of his haircuts. Al Gore isn't really for the environment if he runs up an exorbitant energy bill. A quick appeal to utilitarianism can put these charges to rest once and for all. Edwards could get all the four hundred dollar haircuts he wants if the sum total of his work for the poor offsets the damage (whatever that may be) of his extravagance. Same for Gore. Look at the harm his lifestyle does to the environment and compare it to the good. If the net effect of their actions is positive, then the hypocrisy charge is invalid--if on balance, their actions truly do help the constituencies and the causes they are for they are not being hypocritical, regardless of minor offenses.